Live Review: Keith Urban in High and Alive World Tour 2025
25th August 2025 at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Victoria
Review by Jeana Thomas
Keith Urban Ignites Melbourne – A Night of Guitars, Gratitude and Good Vibes
Monday nights aren’t typically known for being electric, but Keith Urban flipped the script with a set that felt part arena spectacle, part fireside chat and all heart.
Warming up the night with serious Aussie rock attitude, DJ Old Nawty kicked things off with a 25-minute set that felt like a love letter to pub anthems and party playlists. Spinning classics like ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’, ‘Bad Boy for Love’ and ‘Run to Paradise’, he didn’t just hit play – he conducted the crowd, expertly dropping out the volume at just the right moments to let the audience roar the lyrics back. You could see him grinning behind the decks, clearly impressed (and maybe a little surprised) by just how loud and proud Melbourne can sing on a Monday night.
Urban came out swinging with Straight Lines’, and the energy was instantly infectious. From there, it was a non-stop ride: ‘Where the Blacktop Ends’ was a driving, road-trip-ready anthem; ‘Long Hot Summer’ brought the heat and ‘Parallel Line’ hit that tender, romantic note that made you feel like he was singing just for you. And then… ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’ – the crowd did not disappoint with the legendary Aussie call-back – No way, get f*cked, f*ck off. It was an Aussie pub war cry. Keith cracked up mid-song, clearly loving every second of the cheeky audience response. You’ve gotta love a performer who rolls with the banter.
What really stood out, apart from the incredible laser show during ‘’Til Summer Comes Around’ (seriously, I felt like I was inside a high-def dream sequence) – was Urban’s genuine connection to his story and the crowd. He shared that he’d lived everywhere from Toowong to Eagleby, dropped out of high school just three months shy of finishing (shout-out to his supportive mum), and went straight into the trenches — playing four-hour sets in pubs five nights a week. That grit? You could feel it in every note.
There was also a super sweet moment when he asked if anyone was celebrating their actual birthday that night. Turns out, a girl from Perth was! Keith jumped off the stage right into the crowd to give her a birthday wish and selfie. It was sincere, spontaneous and just another reason he remains one of Australia’s most beloved performers.
The setlist was rich and generous. ‘One Too Many’ had Pink’s powerhouse vocals soaring behind him on the big screen for a virtual duet that gave full-body goose bumps. ‘Pink Pony Club’ brought a playful, vibrant energy and his unexpected cover of ‘Jeans On’ by David Dundas was surprisingly charming and effortlessly cool. And just when you thought it was over, the encore came crashing in with ‘You Get What You Give’, a big, beautiful closer that had the whole place belting the lyrics like it was a backyard singalong with 10,000 of your closest mates.
Let’s talk about the band – new faces, big talent. There’s something special about watching a band gel in real-time and this newly assembled crew brought the magic. On keys was Peter Kuzma, laying down rich, textured layers that gave depth to every track. Jimmy Paxton kept the heart beating with slick, driving rhythms on drums and Katie Ohh (yes, that Katie Ohh from ‘The Winner Is’) absolutely shone on vocals and guitar. Her harmonies with Keith were warm and rich and she had serious stage presence to boot.
Josh Kearney on guitar brought the sparkle, while Kevin MacIntire on bass (and backing vocals) kept the groove grounded and full-bodied. And then there was newcomer Gabi Louise – fresh out of Lake Macquarie and called up just three weeks earlier. She owned that fiddle like she’d been touring with the band for years. Her standout moment? ‘Days Gone By’. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room – or maybe that was just me. Either way, she nailed it.
And then the moment came – when he left the main stage, walked through the crowd and popped up on a small platform near the back of the arena. For those in the cheap seats, it was like winning the jackpot. There he was, right in front of them, playing an intimate acoustic set as if we were sitting around a campfire. “I just wanted to get closer,” he said. Mission accomplished.
And speaking of instruments – can we take a second to appreciate the rotating guitars? Keith seems to swap guitars like some people change moods and each one brings a fresh tone, a new vibe and a layer of visual flair that only adds to the spectacle. Acoustic, electric, vintage, sparkly – it’s like a fashion show for guitars and I’m here for it.
If you’re wondering whether Keith Urban still has it – he never lost it. He’s got the charm, the chops and the charisma to turn a Melbourne Monday into a full-throttle celebration of music, memories and a whole lotta love.
Final tickets to Keith’s final show of the Australian leg is available from TEG Live.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Revolutions Per Minute PR, TEG Live and Keith Urban for the Accreditation.
Support Act: Chase Matthew – Warming Up Keith Urban’s Melbourne Crowd
Opening Monday night with raw southern charm and an underdog spirit was Chase Matthew and his band (chosen directly by Urban), marking their first-ever trip down under and what a debut it was. Hailing from small-town Tennessee, you could feel that Nashville grit and heart in every note they played. Chase shared a personal moment with the crowd, recalling how he once auditioned in high school only to be told he wasn’t good enough. But his dad – clearly a legend – told him, “Son, you were born for this” and Chase now wears that mantra inked on his arm: Born For This. The crowd really lit up when they launched into their No. 11 country radio hit ‘Why He Calls You Darling’ – hands waving, lyrics mouthed along and more than a few people in cowboy hats swaying in unison. It was clear Melbourne wasn’t just being polite, they were fully on board, embracing Chase and the band like long-lost cousins. A killer set from a rising star. If there’s any justice, it won’t be long before he headlines arenas on his own.
Kicking off with familiar staples like “Drives My Truck” and “Pull Up,”, “Shook Me All Night Long” Chase ignited the place. Fans were buzzing, singing along and ready for more. The timing couldn’t have been more deliberate – this Melbourne show was one stop on a wider run of Australian dates, marking Chase Matthew’s first time down under after building major momentum on his world tour and dropping his EPs We All Grow Up and Always Be Mine.
Chase Matthew’s band brought serious energy and tight musicianship to the stage, each member clearly dialled in and loving every minute. On lead guitar was a bearded firecracker who shredded with the finesse of a Nashville veteran – lightning-fast fingers and a swagger that screamed Southern rock. The drummer, tucked behind a modest kit, was anything but subtle, driving the rhythm with punchy precision and the kind of groove that makes your boots want to move. Bass and guitar duties were handled by a laid-back, ball-cap-wearing player whose steady low end held the whole thing together with effortless cool. Together, they didn’t just back Chase — they elevated him, creating a sound that was equal parts modern country and gritty, small-town soul.
What struck me most was his stage presence: casual swagger, cheeky smiles and effortless mic banter. He genuinely was having a fantastic time and interacting with the audience and telling stories, pulling the crowd into his world with every lyric and having conversations and letting us in on his life story.
His set was tight, knockout and smartly structured – no frills, just rock‑infused country-pop swagger. The crowd vibed with him, danced and maybe even checked out his tracks on their phones mid-show.
About the Writer: Originally hailing from Western Australia, Jeana Thomas now thrives in the vibrant city of Melbourne. Amidst the hustle of her role in a prominent teaching hospital, she also navigates the dynamic world of entrepreneurship as the owner of a medical transcription company. Beyond her professional endeavours, Jeana finds solace and joy in the rhythm of music, the allure of travel and the artistry of photography, with a particular passion for wildlife photography.
About Sheldon Ang Media: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 200 of the hottest acts including Coldplay, Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and The Kid LAROI with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. SAM is also a music journalist on the Triple M Radio network.
